Machine for making sand molds for casting metals.



PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

. H. E. PRIDMORE.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SAND MOLDS FOR CASTING METALS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 12, 1894.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No.\738,673. PATBNTED MAY 2, 1905. H. E. PRIDMORB.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SAND MOLDS FOR CASTING METALS.

' IP PLIOATmN HLnn Nov. lz, 1894.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

gwen/Cofal emwm No.v 788,673. PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

H. E. PRIDMORE. v

MACHINE FOR MAKING SAND MOL'DS POB. CASTING METALS.

APPLIOATION FILED Nov.12, 1394.

` 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

M 4u g C rf B Fig, F l" z A E y Y LJ i A M Aj im H I l i N 1 PATENTED MAY 2, 1905.

H. E. FINDMORE. MACHINE FUR MAKING SAND MOLIIS FOR GASTINII` METALS.

APPLIGA'IION FILED Nov. 12, 1894.

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Patented May 2, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

HENRY E. PRIDMORE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SAND MOLDS FOR CASTING METALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 788,673, dated May 2, 1905.

Application filed November 12. 1894. Serial No. 528,560.

To rbZ/wtom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, HENRY It. PRIDMORE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, in the State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Machine for Making Sand Molds for Casting Metals, of which the following a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in sand-molding machines in which the pattern is drawn from the sand by power applied through connecting devices. and has reference more particularly to machines litted with patterns in which there are depressions from which were the sand lifted vertically the cohesion of the particles of the sand might not be sufficient to sustain the large amount of sand that is in the depression of the pattern; and my improvement is particularly adapted to the making' of such molds by the turning overof the machine and pattern, together with the sand, and then lifting the machine and pattern from the sand, so that less cohesion in the particles of sand will be necessary.

Another feature of my invention has to do with the adapting of the class of machines that turn over the pattern and sand and then lift the pattern from the sand by a return movement of the machine and pattern, so that patterns of different forms, and especially those that have vertical surfaces, can be lifted from the sand on the return movement of the machine and pattern without destroying the mold.

Another feature has to do with the partingstand upon which the machine and sand rest after it is turned over from its normal position, and there area number of other features y which have to do with the details of construction, and these, with those already referred to, will be more fully pointed out, and de` scribed in detail in the specilication and claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is au elevation of my machine for making' sand molds, showing a half-f1ask on the machine with its cover and in dotted lines showing the machine turned overand resting upon the parting-stand. Fig. 2 is a part-sectional elevation of the machine as shown in Fig. l. It is represented in full lines with the flask and pattern filled with sand and in dotted lines turned over onto the parting-stand. the pattern being' drawn. Fig. 3 is an elevation from the parting-stand side of the machine on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a top view of the machine before being' fitted with the pattern and with the handle which holds the half-flask upon the machine cut away. Fig. 5 is a top view of a part of the machine, showing a pattern (one-half of a wheel-flange) in place with a part of the ring attached to the frame of the machine cut away, also a part of that attached to the plunger, so as to better show the construction of the parts. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the parting-stand with the rings and a part of the base broken away. Fig. 7 is a view in cross section through the coupling connection of the pitman and pattern-carrying plunger. Fig. 8 isa detail, partly in section, showing a method of taking up the wear of the plunger in its guide, while Fig. 9 is an elevation of a machine the main part of which is not litted with a pattern-drawing device. The adaptability of the parting-stand to receive the liask in this type of machine is shown in dotted lines. Fig. lO is a top View of the same machine with a part ofthe board that covers the flask cut away to show the pattern and pattern-carrying plate. Fig. 1l is a side View of the adjusting device shown in Fig. 7.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The :frame of the machine consists of a eentral upright standard A, that furnishes a pivot upon which the rocking parts of the machine are turned over. The parting-stand support A extends from an upright portion of the frame on one side, while the standards A2 on the other side are connected by `branching arms with the central standard. The baseplate B, to which the parts of the machine that turn over are attached, is pivoted to the main standard A of the frame. To the up* per side of the plate B the parting-board O is attached. This board is of the same peripheral outline as the pattern and serves as a support for the sand when the pattern is withdrawn from the sand. This parting-board is positioned on the baseplate B by the stationary dowel-pins c, and these plus serve as dewel- ICO pins for the half-flask D, that is placed upon the machine.

To the under side of the base-ring B a cylindrical skeleton frame Eis attached by bolts or screws. Its framework furnishes a guide for the plunger carrying the pattern and is of suflicient height to accommodate the stroke of the plunger. To the bottom of the skeleton frame E is bolted a ring F, from which the downwardly-extending guide-yoke F is projected to serve as the lower guide for the plunger.

The pl u nger H carries a ring H', to which the 'pattern I is attached. From this ring a downwardly-extending yoke H2 is extended. The arms of this yoke are guided in the base-ring B and in the guiding-ways Its lower extremity is continued in the extension H3, which is guided, as heretofore remarked, in the bearing in boss f in the yoke F. Connected with one of the arms of the yoke F is a bearing K, in which a crank-shaft K is jou rnaled. Upon one end of this crank-shaft the handle K2 can be attached, and by means of the pitman K3, which connects the arm on the other end of the crank with a pin /1 in the bearing /f in the plunger H, the pattern can be projected through the parting-board C at will. As the niceties of adjustment in a molding-machine are of the utmost importance and, further, that these adjustments shall be of such a character as to stand rough usage, I have attached the pitman K3 to the plungeryoke H2 in a peculiar manner, as shown in Fig. 7. In the plunger-yoke H2 a stud L is securely fitted, and upon this stud a bushing /L is eccentrically mounted. The pitman K3 is then journaled upon this bushing. It is plain that when'this bushing /L is turned on its stud L it will, because of its eccentric mounting, vary the length of the connection between the plunger and the crank on the crank-shaft K. As a means to make small adjustments and to accurately vary the length of the connection K3, a flange 7b3 on the bushing is brought against the face of the pitman K3. This fiange /13 is filled with holes on the margin of its face, which are so spaced in equal spaces from the starting-point as to make the spacing between the first and last holes of a greater distance than the spacing between the other holes, but a less distance than the spacing between alternate holes. A key it* passes through these holes and into a seat in the pitman K3, and thus locks the bushing wherever it is placed. Ifthe bushing is rotated in one direction, the throw of the plunger will be varied according to the position of the bushing, and if the variation is not small enough it can be rotated in the reverse direction, and the length of the connection will fall between the lengths when it is rotated in the other direction, and thus the variations are made more minute and by means which are firm and stable and which are easilyand cheaply manu factured, and the adjustment can be quickly made in the molding-room. It is to be remembered that a small dierence in the height to which a pattern is inserted into the half-flask will make a large difference in the amount of metal used where thousands of molds are produced. The plunger-yoke is guided through the skeleton frame E on adjustable guides b, that can be placed so as to keep the yoke in alinement, and the extension H3 of the plunger-yoke is guided through the lower guide in the yoke F, and this bearing is formed in a peculiar and novel way, so that the plunger may always be kept in perfect alinement without wahbling. I accomplished this by boring the guide-hole in the yoke F tapering, so that the hole shall be larger at one end than the other. Into this hole l ,place the bushing M, which is of such a diameter as to fit the inclined hole and made on the same incline as the hole and threaded at its smaller end. This bushing is slotted longitudinally and is of sufcient length, so that the small threaded end will project above the bearing in the yoke F. A threaded nut m is then turned upon the bushing, with the result of drawing the bushing through the inclined hole in the yoke F', thus tightening it about the yoke extension H3. Any wear can thus be quickly taken up by turning the nut.

As described thus far, with the parts attached to the pivoted base plate or ring B and with the plate resting upon the standards A2 of the frame and with the handle K52 in position the machine could be used in the regular work of a foundry as a molding-machine of the type described in my Patent No. 648,292, granted April 24, 1900. It is, however, aspecial part of my invention to make this machine a combined onegthat is, such as can be used in regular work as a stationary machine, or by removing the handle KZ and attaching the connecting-rod L, jointed to the frame, to the eX- tension it" from the crank-shaft K the pattern will be drawn by turning the base-plate and connected parts over on the base-plate pivot onto the parting-stand, and thus draw the pattern by the same movement that turns over the machine. This is accomplished by pivoting the connecting-rod L at a point outside of the center on which the machine itself is pivoted-as,for instance,the point (Shown in the drawings in Fig. l.) As explained before, the principal reason for turning over the machine and half-flask is to relieve the sand from the stress necessary to support a large mass when the mold is removed from the pattern. If the plunger beg'an immediately to draw the pattern as soon as themachine started to turn, this object would be defeated.` It is therefore one of the features of my invention to so pivot the connecting-rod L that it shall begin its drawing movement upon the pattern at or about the same time l that the machine passes the perpendicular as IOO IISy

Vit is being turned over.

and flask would be heavy work for the operator, and I therefore assist him by means of heavy springs N, that entend from lugs a on the framework to arms Z2", connected with the base-ring B. These springs are so attached that they assist the operator when needed in both the throwing over of the machine and in the returning of it to its normal position. This will readily be understood by noticing that when the machine is nearly perpendicular and easily handled by the operator the springs are loosened and when the machine is about to drop upon the parting-stand the springs are again taut and at work. Across the top of the part of the half-flask I extend a handle O, the hand end of which is close to the handpiece O', that is connected with the base ringl or plate B. The operator by grasping these end pieces holds the cover-board Pon the flask and the flask on the machine, and thus prevents the spilling of the sand when the machine is being turned over.

As already explained, the machine and ,flask and covering-board are turned over onto the parting-stand, that has its support in the extension A of the frame. Owing' to the fact that not all flasks and cover-boards are of the same height and thickness and to the fact that the machine when turned over must have a bearing that will support the parts in proper alinement and the cope or drag in the best position when the pattern is lifted from the sand, I make my parting-stand Q adjustable in the standard A of the frame by means oi the threaded spindle g and jam-nut q', as shown in Fig. 6. However, after the proper height of the parting-stand has been obtained as nearly as can be there is still a necessity for the parting-stand to be self-adjustable to the cover-plate P as the latter is thrown upon it. 1 have therefore litted the ring Q of the parting-stand Q with a supplemental ring Q2, slightly smaller than the ring Q and with the periphery of the ring slightly widened. The ring Q is formed with a convex upper face, while the supplemental ring Q2, held thereon by gravity, is formed with aconcave face overlapping the ringQ on its inner edge.

The supplemental ring Q2 overlapping the ring Q/ prevents the dirt from getting between the rings and also allows the upper ring to adjust itseltl upon the lower, so as to take the alinement necessary to properly receive the cover-plate P and also to allow the withdrawal of the plate B and its pattern from the half-liask and sand when the machine is returned to its normal position.

In Fig. 2 the pattern I is shown attached to an annular ring or chair I, that is attached to the plunger-ring H. Sand-supporting stools I2 are positioned on the yoke-ring F or a plate attached thereto, and as the pattern I is drawn the stools remain stationary, and

-thus act as a parting means for preventing the sand in the mold from following the pattern. It is only necessary to raise the pattern from the mold suiiiciently so that in the return of the base-plate rocking onA its pivot the mold shall not be struck by the pattern. Whenever the form ot' the pattern is such that the pattern and pattern plate can be raised from the sand without the edge of the mold being struck by the pattern, it will not be necessary to draw the pattern at all. The connectingrod L is then disconnected, the plunger H fastened to the frame, or the plate E can be disconnected and replaced by one without the reciprocating plunger, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The parting-stand, with its annular rings to accommodate itseli'I to the alinement or the machine, will be found advantageous in both cases.

It is scarcely necessary to explain the operation of my machine. The sand is shoveled into the part of the ilask that is placed upon the Vmachine and compressed into or about the pattern. The flask is then covered, the handle thrown against it, and all the parts turned over onto the parting-stand. The lower handle is released and the base-plate immediately thrown back. The cope 'or drag is removed from the parting-stand, another half-flask is placed upon the machine, and the operation again repeated. Y

This machine can be operated with great rapidity, and a class oi work can be done with it that can be done with no other molding-machine. i

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A molding-machine comprising a pivoted, invertible parting-plate, guides carried by said plate, a pattern supported insaid guides, means for clamping a flask and bottom board upon said parting-plate and means for automatically drawing the pattern as the mold is inverted; substantially as described. 2. A molding-machine comprising an invertible parting-plate, a counterbalance for said plate, guides carried by said plate apattern supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through the parting-plate, means for clamping a flask and bottom board upon said parting-plate, and means Jfor automatically drawing the pattern when the mold is inverted; substantially as described.

3. A molding-machine comprising an invertible parting-plate having a pivotal support at one side, a counterbalance for said plate, guides carried by said plate, a pattern supported in said guides and means arranged to reciprocate it through the parting-plate as Vthe latter is inverted, means for clamping a iiask and bottom board on said parting-plate,

and an automatically-tilting stand for receiv- IOO ITO

ing the inverted mold; substantially as de-` scribed.

4. A molding-machine comprising an in- Vertible parting-plate, pivotally supported at one side, guides carried by said parting-plate, a pattern having a central, mold-retaining plunger relatively stationary with respect to the parting-plate and supported in said guides said pattern being arranged to reciprocate through said parting-plate, means for clamping a ask and bottom board upon said parting-plate, and an automatically-tilting stand for receiving the inverted mold; substantially as described.

. 5. A molding-machine comprising a hori- Zontal parting-plate pivotally supported at one side, guides underneath and carried by said parting-plate, a pattern having a central plunger supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through said parting-plate, a crank mounted upon one of the guides and connected to said plunger, a flask and a bottom board, and means for clamping said flask and bottom board on said parting-plate.

6. A molding-machine comprising a horizontal parting-plate pivotally supported at one side, guides underneath and carried by said parting-plate, a pattern having a central plunger supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through said parting-plate, and a crank mounted upon one of the guides and adjustably connected to said plunger.

7. A molding-machine comprising a hori- Zontal parting-plate pivotally supported at one side, guides underneath and carried by said parting-plate, a pattern having a central plunger supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through said parting-plate, a crank mounted upon one of the guides and connected to said plunger, and a connection between the crank and the frame of the machine, arranged to actuate the crank when the parting-plate is oscillated.

8. A molding-machine, comprising a hori- Zontal parting-plate having a pivotal support at one side, guides beneath and secured to said parting-plate, a pattern having a plunger supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through the parting-plate, crank mechanism connected to said plunger, and a spring so connected to the parting-plate as to be under tension when said plate is in its normal hori- Zontal position.

9. A molding-machine, comprising a hori- Zontal parting-plate havinga pivotal support at one side, guides beneath and secured to said parting-plate, a patternhaving a plunger supported in said guides and arranged to reciprocate through the parting-plate, crank mechanism connected to said plunger, a spring so connected to the parting-plate as to be under tension when said plate is in its normal hori- Zontal position, anda weight arranged to counterbalance said parting-plate.

10. A molding-machine, comprising a parting-plate having a pivotal support at one side, a flask, means for clamping said ask on said plate, and a parting-stand consisting of a hori- Zontal ring having a convex face and an overlying' companion ring having a concave groove of less diameter than the convex face.

11. A molding-machine, comprising a parting-plate having a pivotal support at one side, a flask, means for clamping said iiask on said plate, and a parting-stand consisting of a horizontal ring having a convex face and an overlying companion ring having a concave groove of less diameter than the convex face, said parting-stand being vertically adjustable.

12. In combination in a molding-machine, a

'pivoted base-plate supporting the filled halffiask, a plunger, a pattern reciprocating in guiding-ways connected with the base-plate, a crank connected to the plunger, located on a part connected with the base-plate, and a connecting-rod on the crank and attached to the machine at a point outside of the pivot of the base-plate.

13. In combination in a molding-machine, a pivoteol base-plate, a pattern mounted on a plunger and reciprocating in guideways attached to the base-plate, a crank connected with the plunger, a connecting-rod uniting the crank with the machine at a point on the frame outside of the pivot of the base-plate, and a counterbalance arranged to assist in the turning' over of the machine and drawing of the pattern.

14. rI`he combination, in a machine for making sand molds, of a machine-frame embracing a iilling and ramming stand and a partingstand, a parting-frame hinged to a horizontal pivot between the two stands, a pattern-support carried in said parting-frame, a flask or iiask-section adapted to be placed and positioned over said support, a cover for said section, means for holding the cover and section against the support and for swinging the parting-frame and support from the filling-stand to the parting-stand, reversing the position of parts, a carriage movable in vertical ways in the parting-frame and carrying the patternsupport, a parting-board secured to the parting-frame, means for withdrawing said carriage and pattern-support from the mold and parting-board, in a line perpendicular to the parting-surface, and means for sequentially withdrawing the parting-frame and partingboard from the parting-surface.

HENRY E. PR'IDMORE.

/Vitnesses:

R. B. SWIFT, E. E. CLINTON. 

